Author: deborahgoonan

Writer, blogger educating and informing consumers about housing issues related to Association-governed communities (HOAs), including planned community developments, townhouse and condominium associations, affordable housing, and development districts.

Two keys to ending HOA abuse

August 22, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Several months ago, inspired by offline discussions about the root causes of dysfunction and abuse in association-governed communities, I published Recipe for HOA abuse: too much power, no accountability here on IAC. At the time, several states were considering numerous legislative proposals aimed at holding homeowner, condominium, and cooperative associations … More Two keys to ending HOA abuse

Do HOAs have too much power?

August 21, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Do homeowner, condominium, and cooperative associations have too much power over community association members and residents? Readers will most likely answer that question with an emphatic “Yes,” after reviewing the following collection of recent news reports. And these examples of HOA abuse are by no means isolated or … More Do HOAs have too much power?

Lynnhill Condos barely functioning, facing fire code violations (MD)

August 20, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Last October Lynnhill Condominiums, an affordable housing complex in Temple Hills, Maryland, reached a crisis point when Pepco and Washington Gas shut off utilities to all units for several days. At the time, the condo association was burdened with a $1 million lien, due to years of unpaid utility … More Lynnhill Condos barely functioning, facing fire code violations (MD)

Homeowner stuck with $100K bill if HOA refuses to fix sinkholes

August 19, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Every week I read several reports about poorly designed, constructed, or managed storm water systems in association-governed common interest communities. Today’s featured report from Maryland is particularly compelling. Kudos to Debra Alfarone of WUSA9, and her camera crew, on this report.   Couple may have to pay for sinkholes … More Homeowner stuck with $100K bill if HOA refuses to fix sinkholes

Can Chicago homeowners override condo board’s $500K special assessment?

August 18, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities CORRECTION: I received the following statement from Michael Novak, with regard to the Fair Housing lawsuit:  The federal judge actually gave approval that the federal fair housing case can move forward (after motions to dismiss were ruled on) on September 15, 2014, or almost 3 years ago. We’ve been … More Can Chicago homeowners override condo board’s $500K special assessment?

Two men from Bayview Condos arrested for assualt of three female guests using hot tub

August 17, 2017

Several residents stood by and did nothing to help. Today’s blog shares with readers yet another not-so-isolated incident of HOA bullies. Three young women, who were guests of a new resident of a Suttons Bay condo association, were violently assaulted last month by a condo board member and another resident.  The incident happened around midnight … More Two men from Bayview Condos arrested for assualt of three female guests using hot tub

In HOAs, fights over how to spend the money are common

August 16, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities While consumers may buy into a maintenance provided homeowners’ or condominium association for the convenience it promises, homeowners rarely agree on maintenance standards, and often object to what it actually costs to maintain the community. The following report from ABC15 illustrates that point.   Chandler HOA community keeps increasing … More In HOAs, fights over how to spend the money are common

Homeowners suing Poinciana’s developer left and right

August 15, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Updated 9:15 PM EDT Regular readers of IAC know that Poinciana, a large master planned community in Central Florida, has been a hotbed of conflict and controversy for at least the past several years. And that trend continues with the latest motion filed in Polk County circuit court. AV … More Homeowners suing Poinciana’s developer left and right

Vegas security guard charged with first degree murder following deadly shooting at Mountainside Condos

August 14, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities News of a recent shooting at Mountainside Condominiums in Las Vegas has made national news. Associated Press reports that Trayvone Crocket was shot by Malik Kendrick, a security guard employed at Mountainside. Crocket died from his injuries, and a 14-year old girl who was with Crocket at the time … More Vegas security guard charged with first degree murder following deadly shooting at Mountainside Condos

Condo, Strata power struggles out of control in U.S. and Canada

August 13, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Anyone who follows reports of conflict and dysfunction in association-governed, corporate-managed, common interest communities begins to see recurring behavior patterns. It goes something like this: Most owners and residents in multifamily housing try to get along, but, inevitably, a few people living in such close quarters start to get … More Condo, Strata power struggles out of control in U.S. and Canada